London Mayor announces half-price bus and tram travel for young care leavers

Care leavers aged 18-25 will be able to travel for half price on London’s buses and trams after Sadiq Khan announces his ‘fare deal for care leavers’ giving ‘more young people the helping hand they need to thrive at a crucial period in their lives’.

The offer will sit alongside other travel benefits provided by TfL such as the Job Seekers Allowance and 60+ concessions and will help enable care leavers to make the most of the Mayor’s Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour for the price of a single journey.

Many care leavers remain vulnerable after leaving care, and the complex challenges they face mean that fewer care leavers go onto further training or university than those who haven’t lived in care.

Children who grow up in care are three times less likely to be in education, employment or training than their peers. Analysis by the Children’s Society has found that the costs – including travel costs - of remaining in education, or seeking a job or apprenticeship can be higher for care leavers, a problem this concession is designed to overcome.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Leaving care can be very challenging or daunting for young adults who feel unprepared for the transition to independent living. Many care leavers lack the appropriate resources to continue training or gain meaningful employment once leaving care, which can, in turn, lead to both financial and emotional hardship.

“I am determined to improve the London-wide offer for care leavers, and our new ‘are deal for care-leavers’ will give these young people a helping hand to thrive in this next stage of their lives, building a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”